He may be used to the cold, having been raised in Wentworth Falls, but Ian Halpin likes the heat. The 26-year-old will be thrown into temperatures in at least the high 30s later this month, when he takes part in the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) World Athletics Championships in Doha. "I like the heat and I respond really well to the heat, my muscles like it. Some of my best training sessions have been in the heat," Halpin said. He'll represent Australia in the 400m men's relay, where they'll compete in an air-conditioned indoor stadium on a 400m track. "It will be the biggest crowd I've ever run in front of. They've had 80,000 people in the past [at world championships]," Halpin said. To prepare for the temperatures, the Leura Garage chef who now lives in Leonay, will spend 10 days in Cairns with the Australian team before flying to Doha. The former Katoomba High student is feeling good and he's been hitting PBs in training with his coach Mike Hurst. "My form is very good, I'm the strongest and quickest I've ever been," Halpin said. "Training has been non-stop." He's been running a 400m in about 45.5 seconds in training and hopes to replicate this at the world championships. "I don't want to get my hopes up, but I hope I can stick that," Halpin said. A team of 57 Australian athletes will compete in the championships in Doha, Qatar, from September 27 - October 6.

Ian Halpin to represent Australia in 400m relay at World Athletics Championships

He may be used to the cold, having been raised in Wentworth Falls, but Ian Halpin likes the heat.

The 26-year-old will be thrown into temperatures in at least the high 30s later this month, when he takes part in the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) World Athletics Championships in Doha.

Ian Halpin to race 400m relay at World Athletics Championships

Wentworth Falls-raised athlete and chef Ian Halpin will represent Australia in the men's 400m relay at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha.

Wentworth Falls-raised athlete and chef Ian Halpin will represent Australia in the men's 400m relay at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha.